A very fun activity is making [GNU/]Linux distributions.
This is creating an Operating System based on the Linux Kernel.
(for those of you who don't know: the kernel is the core of an operating system)
Share any experiences you've had, what you did, and pictures here!
If you like, perhaps even share your distro here! (be sure to comply with the licenses of all the software you are using in your distro)
Having trouble? Ask here!

Basically there's two ways to make a Linux distribution:

• One way is to take an already existing distribution, such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, etc. and strip off stuff you don't want or need, and add stuff you want.
  
• The other way is to start from scratch and build a kernel and add all the programs you need and a bootloader, and an initramfs/initrd etc.
  

I'm making distributions from scratch (it's lots of fun) and haven't tried making a distribution based on an already existing one, but I expect they are both fun.

GNU/Linux or Linux: personally I call Linux Distributions with software from GNU (GRUB, GCC, glibc, bash, coreutils etc.) “GNU/Linux” distributions.

Be sure to ask your parents before possibly destroying your computer!!

Sorry if this is a bit too technical for anyone.

A tiny alternative to GNU coreutils is BusyBox. It's really small and is all in one executable file. (I'm using it for my initrd/initramfs)

If anyone is looking for a step-by-step tutorial, you could try checking out Linux from Scratch.
Also see Kernel Newbies for more information about the Linux Kernel.

Bump

I'm trying to deploy a Linux kernel in my phone

DrKat123 wrote:

I'm trying to deploy a Linux kernel in my phone

Cool! Are you just building a kernel yourself to replace your current kernel for Android?
btw I think Google modifies the kernel a bit – may want to see if you should use Google's source instead of http://kernel.org/ as there's probably extra drivers and stuff, check out https://source.android.com/source/building-kernels.html

Jonathan50 wrote:

DrKat123 wrote:

I'm trying to deploy a Linux kernel in my phone

Cool! Are you just building a kernel yourself to replace your current kernel for Android?
btw I think Google modifies the kernel a bit – may want to see if you should use Google's source instead of http://kernel.org/ as there's probably extra drivers and stuff, check out https://source.android.com/source/building-kernels.html

Making one, and then replacing. Hopefully this will not brick my phone
I'll probably continue the kernel dev today

Jonathan50 wrote:

A tiny alternative to GNU coreutils is BusyBox. It's really small and is all in one executable file. (I'm using it for my initrd/initramfs)

If anyone is looking for a step-by-step tutorial, you could try checking out Linux from Scratch.
Also see Kernel Newbies for more information about the Linux Kernel.

I'm pretty sure that you'd need BusyBox after rooting, it compiles some UNIX applets.

I didn't think this would exist. But it does.

I'm creating an ARM Arch Linux distribution for my Raspberry Pi. I plan on using Busybox where possible and possibly have SLIM and Xfce pre installed to make using it a bit easier.

TheMatrixKid wrote:

I didn't think this would exist. But it does.

I'm creating an ARM Arch Linux distribution for my Raspberry Pi. I plan on using Busybox where possible and possibly have SLIM and Xfce pre installed to make using it a bit easier.

you'll need an X server like X.org or XFree86, you'll also need XLib and GTK+ – I don't know if Xfce has something to make getting the dependencies easier (it may)
http://docs.xfce.org/xfce/building

if you're using a package manager it will probably be easier

Bump

Btw if you are compiling a kernel you may want to go ‘Device Drivers -> Graphics Support -> Bootup Logo’ and check it so you get a Tux logo on bootup

Bump…
So far I'm making “IDK Linux”. Anybody got a better name?

Jonathan50 wrote:

Bump…
So far I'm making “IDK Linux”. Anybody got a better name?

IDK Linux is a great name tho.

Huh, sounds interesting! I really want to start learning more about how Linux works, but it just hurts my brain…

Bump

Bump

Jonathan50 wrote:

Bump

This Is Starting To Get Annoying. I Would Like You To Stop That

CatsUnited wrote:

Jonathan50 wrote:

Bump…
So far I'm making “IDK Linux”. Anybody got a better name?

IDK Linux is a great name tho.

I Agree. IDK Linux Is A Cool Name But You Could Make It Mean Something Different; You Could Make It : Internet Development Kit Linux.

NerbyParties_ wrote:

Jonathan50 wrote:

Bump

This Is Starting To Get Annoying. I Would Like You To Stop That

I'm posting ‘bump’ to get the topic to show back up on the front page.

NerbyParties_ wrote:

CatsUnited wrote:

Jonathan50 wrote:

Bump…
So far I'm making “IDK Linux”. Anybody got a better name?

IDK Linux is a great name tho.

I Agree. IDK Linux Is A Cool Name But You Could Make It Mean Something Different; You Could Make It : Internet Development Kit Linux.

Lol

NerbyParties_ wrote:

CatsUnited wrote:

Jonathan50 wrote:

Bump…
So far I'm making “IDK Linux”. Anybody got a better name?

IDK Linux is a great name tho.

I Agree. IDK Linux Is A Cool Name But You Could Make It Mean Something Different; You Could Make It : Internet Development Kit Linux.

What about the International Dubstep Kernel?